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Google Maps vs. Google Maps: The iOS and Android Smackdown

Google Maps, ios vs. android, Smackdown Photo: Alex Washburn / Wired

Alex Washburn

Google Maps for iOS has finallylaunched, and it is no surprise that it is vastly superior to the utter failure that is Apple Maps. As good as it is, though, Google's version of Maps for iOS 6 is quite different from its Android counterpart in ways big and small.

Rather than port a quick-and-dirty Android doppelganger over to the App Store, the Google Maps team designed a uniquely iOS interface and experience. For that reason, some features native to the Android app don’t end up in the iOS version, and some interactions you'll experience on the iPhone 5 are completely different than anything you'll see on an Android handset.

Google Maps for iOS was literally hours old when we set out to see how it stands up against Google Maps on Android.

On the whole, we've got to say the iOS version of Google Maps looks nicer, but as far as features go, the Android version wins hands down.

The Interface
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Both versions of Google Maps operate smoothly, and they look slick, modern and decidedly Googley, but there are some major differences.

Google Maps on iOS uses the same general color scheme we’ve seen on Google's other iOS products Google+, Google Search and Gmail – that is, clean dark-gray text on a white background. Frankly, it's far prettier than Apple Maps' UI, and more elegant than the Android version, too.

At the top of the app in iOS is a search box, with icons for directions and your user profile. Tap into your profile and, if you’re logged into your Google account, you’ll find recently saved and shared addresses, the ability to list your home and work addresses, tutorials and help. Very convenient.

At the bottom, iOS users will find directions, a button to activate navigation and a three-dot tab that, with a tap, exposes layers such as traffic, public transit, satellite imagery and a link to open whatever location you’re looking at in the Google Earth iOS app.

The general layout is similar on Android, with a few exceptions. While Google Maps on iOS places the search box up top, the Android version uses a magnifying glass icon at the bottom to activate a search box up top. Instead of tapping a tab to expose layers of data, Android uses a layers icon at the bottom of the interface, next to search and an icon to bring up local businesses. The three-dot icon shows up on Android’s bottom menu too, but serves a different function: exposing the app’s settings, help, the ability to clear the map and the option of saving a map for offline use. Offline maps aren’t even offered by Google Maps on iOS.

Turn-by-Turn Voice Navigation
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Android users have had turn-by-turn navigation for ages, and Google’s voice navi is among the best in mobile. But until Apple Maps, iOS users were largely left behind. Now they have an beyond Siri's hit-or-miss instructions. Google Maps on iOS has the same high quality voice turn-by-turn directions Android users have been enjoying. Now, Google Maps does caution that its Navigation service on iOS is in beta, and traffic data isn’t yet real-time – it’s still in beta on Android too.

Even so, we found the directions to be up to snuff in our testing thus far. There is one difference however: Google Maps on iOS doesn't offer voice navigation while walking, and it does do on Android.

Bike Directions & Public Transit
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While the iOS version finally brings public transit directions back to the iPhone, another big complaint with Apple Maps – no bike directions – remains unfulfilled. Lame. On Google Maps for Android, you’ve got essentially the same bike route interface as on the web: solid green lines for roads with bike lines, dotted green lines for bike-friendly roadways, and Maps routes you through to your destination.

As for public transit, both apps let you optimize your route by transit mode (bus, subway, train, or tram/light rail) and best route, fewest transfers, or less walking. These options are hidden under an Options button in the iOS interface, and are more clearly displayed on Android.

Search
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Google has defined online search for more than a decade, and nobody does it better (Sorry Bing!). And search in Google Maps on both Android and iOS is a breeze. Both apps offer text-based predictions as you type, and both deliver these suggestions and largely the exact same search results with blazing speed, as long as you have a solid Internet connection.

Google Maps, ios vs. android, Smackdown Photo: Alex Washburn / Wired

Alex Washburn

Local Business Listings
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On both iOS and Android, local business listings are provided by a combination of Google’s local search and Zagat listings (Google purchased Zagat in 2011). On the other hand, Apple Maps pulls business listings from Yelp. Your preference will likely be determined by which ratings service you use more to find the nearest burrito joint. If you’re into Zagat, you’ll be pleased with its integration on both iOS and Android as they’re largely the same – offering the address, hours and phone number of a business, as well as any reviews, photos and mapping directions. If the business is on Google Maps Street View, there’s a link in both apps that gives you the option (when available) to see both the outside and inside of an establishment.

The one major difference between Zagat integration in the two apps is advertising. On Android, Google adds related ads among Zagat listings. On iOS, you're ad free – for now.

Street View Integration
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Street View, the 360-degree panoramas of the outside (and increasingly, inside) of businesses, appear on both app versions. The exact same photos and data grace both apps. But oddly, we found that when searching for the same locations on iOS and Android, and tapping our way into Street View on both platforms, we’d end up seeing a different Street View viewpoints of the same locale. One other minor difference: Street names are rendered in white with a dark grey outline on the iOS app, and in dark grey with a white outline on Android. Neither is that much better than the other, just different.

Finding Friends and Family
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You're out, grabbing a beer by your lonesome at the local pub. Hey, maybe a friend is nearby and you should hang out together instead. Apple has Find My Friend (which nobody we know uses) to find iOS-using friends and family members who also broadcast their location using the app. Google has Latitude (which nobody we know uses) and it does the same thing. But on Android, Latitude is built directly into Google Maps. You still have to opt into the service for it to work, though. On iOS, it’s a separate app.

If you're going to stalk friends and family, stick with Path and Foursquare.

Wikipedia Integration
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One more thing that Google Maps on Android has that it’s iOS counterpart lacks is Wikipedia integration. On Android, users can choose to add a layer over the top of the map they’re looking at that provides Wikipedia entries for locations such as businesses, public parks and historical sites. It’s not quite a killer feature, but it’s cool, it’s helpful, and if you’re a tourist or just someone who wants to get to know their hometown, it’s a lot of fun. There’s nothing quite like it on iOS, or any other Android mapping app. Hopefully Google brings this feature over to iOS in the future.